Unfortunately, a look at the rest of the 22-person committee doesn’t provide much solace. In total, Senators on the committee have taken a combined $9.4 million in dirty energy money. Lisa Murkowski, the ranking Republican on the committee has taken over $1.2 million in industry cash since 2002. With others like Joe Manchin (over $1 million in dirty energy money) and John Barrasso (over $800k) filling out the committee ranks, it’s clear the fossil fuel industry has spared no expense in targeting this committee in their unyielding attempts to corrupt our democracy.

(The above paragraph makes me hyperventilate slightly, so now’s a good chance to mention that Bernie Sanders is also on the committee, making sure there’s at least one voice of reason during hearings.)

This nightmare scenario came about after President Obama nominated Senator Baucus to become the new ambassador to China. This set off a round of political transitions that has resulted in Senator Landrieu taking over as Chair of the Energy Committee.

The timing couldn’t be better for Landrieu who’s up for re-election in 2014, a close race Democrats see as vital in their bid to retain control of the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Reid is giving Senator Landrieu star treatment to help her fundraise and court votes… and of course, the new position will make her an even more attractive candidate for massive amounts of dirty energy money in the months leading up to the election.

This type of decision is why Americans are fed up with Washington politics. In a bald-faced political move, the democratic leadership is ensuring one of Big Oil’s closest allies is in a prime position to serve their interests.

What makes this all the more frustrating is that there was a simple alternative: not giving Landrieu the keys to the committee. This would have broken with Senate Democrats’ seniority-based tradition, but it would have been a clear warning sign that if you’re willing to take millions from industry interests you won’t be placed in positions of power where you’re deciding how those same industries are regulated.

If we want to have any semblance of a functioning democracy, this is undoubtedly the stance our political leaders need to take. It’s time our elected officials work for the people who elected them, not the industries padding their wallets.

Conflict of interest, resign their Senate jobs, raise you hand if you own stock in any of these oil companies, check their record for voting on oil issues. It’s like have members of Monsanto on the BOD EPA making decision for all of us. Why are more people not protesting this bull?

we need to get the money out of the pockets of .the BIG CORP’s and back into the pockets of the people…This country is going to shit in a handbag due to all these money hungry,,power hungry idiots!!! We the people make them their profits but we also suffer due to the stingyness of these idiots…DOWN WITH BIG CORPS.!!!!!

we need to get the money out of the pockets of .the BIG CORP’s and back into the pockets of the people…This country is going to shit in a handbag due to all these money hungry,,power hungry idiots!!! We the people make them their profits but we also suffer due to the stingyness of these idiots…DOWN WITH BIG CORPS.!!!!!

Big oil benefits from exploiting nature. Nebraska resident, Lakota Nation, Ogalala aquifer take the risks fromnthe keystone pipeline. IT’S OVER! Be on the side of the environment. STEWARDSHIP over exploitation